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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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nonoyolker

Weirs Jort Army

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Submissions

2
Good Lovin'
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

I typically find the post '72 versions of this song to be a bit of filler, but this one has some nice accents from Keith and some ramp-up ending chaw
6
Wharf Rat
Nov. 17, 1971
Albuquerque Civic Auditorium

Relatively short, given later incarnations, but this one has wonderful energy behind it, deliberate playing, and a delicate finish
9
Bertha
Dec. 10, 1973
Charlotte Coliseum

Jerry on his giddy up and RIDE for this show opener.
3
Drums
July 12, 1989
RFK Stadium

The Drums is fine/good, but this one is great to cleary hear some spunion shout "holy fucking, SHIT!" on the SBD. Someone's mind = blown... Priceless
16
Bird Song
July 9, 1989
Giants Stadium

Very inspired playing. Jazzy swing from the rhythm devils, Lesh is barreling down the low end, and Jerry dancing the leads to a powerful conclusion

Comments

Looks Like Rain
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Put me firmly in the LLR fan grouping. Bobby's emotive chaw and Jerry's peaky guitar are a serious draw for me. And while lyrically, the second verse is indefensibly bad, the first verse is actually quite nice and one that I always enjoy. This version has all of the goods - Bobby digging deep on emotional blast and Jerry railing home the song's gravity in his solo. Nice version
Bertha
Aug. 27, 1972
Old Renaissance Faire Grounds

While many of the songs played in this show are unnecessarily glorified compared to equally as good, if not subjectively better versions of songs, the show and versions within are still cannon and for defensible reasons. It's a rock solid show cover-to-cover, with any-era level highlights of versions. Cases can easily be made for many other far less lauded shows as being as good, though this one emerged over time as legend. This Bertha though, my. GOD. To complement the previous comments, Jerry has rarely ever blazed such a fast and tight solo in the jam portion. I hadn't heard in a while and it took me by complete surprise how ferocious and nimbly he takes that one. Definitely a fantastic version and yes, Veneta is peak output. Not every version is best ever, but as a complete performance, this show is obviously really damn good
Dire Wolf
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Super bouncy, precise version. Crisp
Truckin'
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

I credit the mere existence of this jam to the Billy the Kid, channeling his inner Art Blakey and refusing to let the end of Truckin' dissolve to natural conclusion. Bill kept the driving the splashy high hats, then Bobby caught wise with a clever rhythmic pattern, then Phil dove in with the foundational low end. To my ears, this is one of the most easily identifiable and exemplary jams that highlight just how much certain Dead jams could be classified as pure free-form jazz. The period before Spanish Jam could have been pouring out of Blue Note, rather than the Philly Spectrum. Bill takes home the MVP on this in a big way, but everyone makes incredible contributions on this all-timer version. Very grateful to finally have a polished SBD in the new Dave's release!
Good Lovin'
Dec. 31, 1976
Cow Palace

Agree with comments above. The mid/end "jam" is funky, unique, and hints strongly at the impending Samson. Def worth a spin